Part of the CAAGE ‘how to’ series

How to: Mental Wellbeing

How to find the right mental health support after grooming.

When you’ve been groomed, it’s important that you pick the support that's right for you personally at the time that’s right for you. You’ll find some suggested resources below.

Don't dismiss your doctor if you need any counselling or mental health support. Some are incredibly effective at accessing the mental health system.

Please bear with us as this resource is developed, but meanwhile we hope you’ll find something useful here. And of course if you have something to add, do contact us.

And CAAGe has approved counsellors who can offer support. Sadly we are unable to fund this at present, but are looking to change this by the end of 2023.

  • PTSD and CPTSD

    Almost 40% of victims of adult grooming - a figure almost certainly understated - suffer from PTSD/CPTSD as a result of the experience.

    CAAGe looks at the difference between the two conditions and the help available: PTSD and CPTSD

    We found this great article on why it’s important to take it slowly and not expect a quick fix: Why You Can’t be in a Rush to Heal from Trauma.

  • "Anxiety"

    Anxiety

    Almost 20% of victims of adult grooming report anxiety - and related sleep problems - as one of the consequences of grooming.

    This CALM Guide offers clarity and advice on the subject: CALM Guide, Anxiety

  • Unmade bed

    Sleep problems

    We can’t talk about anxiety without also looking at how to address sleep problems.

    And as, apparently, around 40% of us have sleep problems anyway, it never hurts to help! Sleeping well will help with just about everything else in our lives, from weight issues to grumpiness!

    We’ve gathered together some articles from around the web which may be good for you.

    The Sleep Foundation: How to fall asleep. (Good basic sleep hygiene.)

    Casper: 26 suggestions to help

    There are medications that can help. We highly recommend speaking to a medical professional before taking anything, and researching the effects of anything alternatives like camomile or melatonin before taking alternative medicines. Most side effects are minimal, but our bodies are all different, and may react differently - sometimes in a more exaggerated fashion - when we’ve been traumatised.

Sources of support

Mental health services are not always easy to access and finding the right service for you or a loved one may take time. As you can see from the list on the right, there are all kinds of places that may be able to help.

Stick with - getting the help that’s right for you after grooming ius vital - keep going until you find what works for you.

It’s not your fault that you were targeted for grooming - you need and deserve appropriate help. We all do.

  • The BACP will help you find a checked and qualified therapist. Choose your therapist carefully. If you are looking for help because you've been groomed, try and find one who has experience/is trained in sexual abuse. Sexual grooming doesn't fit neatly into the sexual abuse box, but these specialists are about as close as you'll get at the moment.

  • A service to help you find the right person when you need to talk: Befrienders

  • Counsellors with a good understanding of grooming and a healthy approach: CAAGe counsellors

  • C.A.L.L offers emotional support and information/literature on Mental Health and related matters (Wales).

    CALL

  • The Counselling Directory is a useful resource for finding therapies suitable for you - please vet your counsellor carefully for experience, qualifications and understanding of the grooming you’ve been subjected to:

    The Counselling Directory

  • This pamphlet has been developed as part of the Women’s Aid Deserve To Be Heard campaign, d for survivors who find themselves struggling with their mental health after experiencing domestic abuse:

    https://www.womenstherapyleeds.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/DTBH-Leaflet-WEB-full.pdf

  • Life Coaching - There is no link here to life coaching organisations because not all life coaches are born equal and there is no set standard. We advise people to seek personal recommendations - a life coach who advises on diet or careers is very different from one who can help you overcome the effects of grooming.

  • The National Male Survivor Helpline and Online Support Service is run by Safeline.

    Call: 0808 800 5005

    (Check opening hours, no call back service.)

    Male Survivor SMS Text Service – text 07860 065187 (texts charged at users standard rate).

    Male Survivor Email Service – email support@safeline.org.uk. You can email any time. They aim to reply within seven working days.

    There is also a live chat service on their web page: https://safeline.org.uk/services/national-male-helpline/

  • Clear, practical advice and support for people experiencing issues with mental health and money - not uncommon in victims who’ve been groomed

    Mental Health and Money Advice

  • Nexus = Free counselling for anyone who has experienced sexual violence in Northern Ireland.

  • Although we are all aware of the delays and shortfalls of the NHS Service, there is still a good quality service, free and worth applying for: How to access NHS Mental Health Services

  • PTSD UK - - If you feel traumatised by what has happened, it's worth considering that the symptoms you experience may be PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Contrary to what many believe, it doesn't just happen in war zones!

  • Rape Crisis has put together a range of self help tools for victims who want to work through things themselves: Self help tools

  • Respond - Respond exists in order to lessen the effect of trauma and abuse on people with learning disabilities, their families and supporters.

  • Rethink offers advice and information for people with experience of mental illness

    https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/

  • Safeline is a specialist sexual violence and abuse charity. They offer a range of therapies, including face to face counselling, telephone counselling, and a National Males Survivor Service (see above).

    Call 01926 402498

  • The Samaratins "offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal." Open 24/7.

    Call 116 123, or one of the many options the Smaratins offers: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

  • SANEline is a national (British) out-of-hours mental health helpline. It offers emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness.

    The service is open to sufferers, their family, friends and carers.

    Open 4pm-10pm daily.

    Call 0300 304 7000.

    Email and text support are also available.

  • Survivors Trust: "Raising awareness about sexual abuse and/or rape and its effects on survivors, their supporters and society at large."

    Tel: 08088 010818

    Text: 07860022956

Rachel’s Story, Respond